INTERVIEW| Kiev Fashion Days: Natasha Zinko FEB'13

Part of the Mercedes-Benz Kiev Fashion
Days, Natasha Zinko graduated from Central Saint Martins. From Ukraine but based in London, the
designer showcases a collection of bird inspired pieces and soft
colours at the Kiev Fashion Days exhibition which will be open until 6pm today. She speaks with us about her collection
and her first time showcasing at Fashion Scout.

What was your starting point with
this collection?

The collection is about birds that are
now extinct, about the Pterosaurs that were like reptilian birds, I
think they were cool. So I’m trying to create the layering of their
skin, but still keeping it very feminine. These birds didn’t eat
meat; they were more like nice and quaint. There’s a combination of
layering and mixing fabrics, that’s why it’s so pale it’s all
very bright. I wanted something surreal, like this bird that maybe
never existed.

How did you find a balance and
combination with all the materials you used?

It’s a combination of different
things. With the lace, it’s about layering so I was experimenting
with different ways I can do this; so recreating wings and images
with embroidery.

The colours are really fresh, how
did you choose the palette for this collection?

It’s a winter collection but I didn’t
want to make it too dark. Usually I use a lot of black, but this time
I wanted to make it very soft and romantic like those birds that do
not exist anymore. Like one of them! I am the bird! I want the woman
to feel like she is something different, out of this world.

The collection is made up of
different pieces, do you mostly design dresses?

Yes, mostly dresses. This time, I did
jeans which I actually made three years ago but because I liked the
lace material that looked good when we shot the look book, they were
great because they made the model look like a bird.

Is that something you think about
when you’re designing, do you like to create whole looks?

I can see the whole image; I don’t
see it just in pieces. I like styling. I’m actually a jewellery
designer too.

How is London for you as an
international designer, how is it working in London?

It’s good! It’s definitely more
progressive. I really like to be here. Fashion Scout has been
interesting, this is my first time here, I would love to show here
again.